“About 50 officials divided into six teams have been scouring for the leopard in and around the zoo and trying to trace where it has escaped by following its pug (paw) marks,” ,Mr Ralph said.

He added an inquiry was underway to find out how the leopard managed to escape from captivity.

The zoo does not have CCTV cameras and officials were worried the leopard might have sneaked into an adjacent national park which spread over 202 hectares (500 acres).

“Even in the cage, the feline was restless and appeared agitated. We are hoping to trap it again soon within the park limits, as it would not have gone too far,” Mr Ralph said.

Earlier this month, the leopard hit the headlines after photos in Bangalore showed the animal prowling around a closed school and trying to maul forestry officials, a wildlife activist and others who came too close. It was caught and caged after being trapped in a room in an operation that lasted nearly four hours.

While Pakistanis are moving ahead in leaps and bounds in the world of scientific breakthroughs, Indians can’t even confine a leopard to a zoo ! Do we even have to invent a force field for them ??Recommend